DeMarvion Overshown 'Ready To Share Testimony' After ACL Recovery
Legendary Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin suffered torn anterior cruciate ligament in 1989 that caused him to miss 357 days in between games.
That was in Irvin's second season in the NFL, and after that from 1991-95, the Pro Football Hall of Famer caught at least 78 passes, 1,200 yards and six touchdowns in each season. Irvin was not hampered by his knee injury after the fact, and former Texas Longhorns and Cowboys linebacker DeMarvion Overshown is taking inspiration from that and maintaining a positive attitude in his recovery from a torn ACL.
"Michael Irvin had a bad knee injury and he talked about how that helped the rest of his career, that moment happening now," Overshown said. "I definitely look at that as inspiration. He definitely said he's going to link us up together where I get to talk to Michael about it. But like I said, I'm looking forward to this. This is nothing new to me. I respect the grind. I got a taste of what it feels like to be a pro. I'm ready to attack this recovery and be back."
At first, the injury looked like a typical football play.
Overshown continued to display his athletic gifts that he's displayed all training camp and led him to be Dallas' 2023 third-round pick, covering ground from his linebacker position to tackle Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet.
However, when Overshown planted his left leg into the ground on Charbonnet's cut-back attempt, he tore his ACL which will end his season. Overshown isn't sure the exact date yet, but said he's having surgery soon.
Overshown didn't believe the injury was as serious as it was when it initially happened.
"I thought they were just giving me a free ride to the locker room," Overshown said. "They didn't want me to walk, so I thought I was going to come back out, just jogging, having one of those moments."
After the diagnosis came back, Overshown received outpouring support from current and former head coaches, the Cowboys' Mike McCarthy and Longhorns' Steve Sarkisian.
"It's a real bummer. I hate it for him," Sarkisian said Monday. "He is actually in really good spirits. I talked to him yesterday before his MRI, and he reached back out afterward."
Overshown said the injury is "just another bump in the road" and he is "ready to share my testimony after I come back from this." He said the mindset you carry into the road to recovery is important.
His mindset has shifted from being an in-game contributor to cheering on his teammates from the sidelines and "bringing the juice."
The Arp, Texas, native said he's blessed "to be able to rock this star everywhere" he goes.
Overshown said he thought his first training camp went well.
"I get to look at it as something I get to build off of now, having this time to take care of my body and get right and really learn the game," Overshown said. "I definitely feel like I went out there and done what I wanted to do, but it's still a lot more that I know I'm capable of and I can't wait to show you guys."
You can follow Casey Smith on Twitter @casey_smith2419
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